The conditions were causing widespread power outages. Baltimore Gas and Electric Co. reported 2,000 without power and 7,000 customers whose power had been restored, nearly half of each in Howard County, as of 10:50 a.m. Thursday.

Overnight lows are expected around freezing, with a chance of snow showers. A dusting of snow, possibly a quarter of an inch, is expected across Central Maryland, according to weather service forecast maps. Accumulation could be limited mainly to grassy surfaces because of the recent warmth, forecasters said.

Friday through the weekend is expected to be colder, with highs near 40 and lows back in the 20s. Another chance of snow showers arrives overnight Saturday.

Harford Road in the Glen Arm area is closed between Hartley Mill and Glen Arm roads because of downed trees and wires following storms and heavy winds that swept through the region last night, according to Baltimore County police.

Historic flooding and the coldest temperatures in decades made weather headlines in Baltimore in 2014. Rainfall records were set in April and August, and after a frigid winter, the summer was comfortable and fall cool. The year is expected to be the coolest and wettest here in years.